Martin Marietta Corporation

Laurence O Williams

James C Beblavi

A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material. In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.

Method of propelling a projectile with ammonium azide

High velocity gun propellant

A gun propellant comprises ammonium azide in finely divided form and at least one conventional propellant and/or explosive composition. The ammonium azide is free of any heavy metals capable of reacting with the ammonium azide to form metallic azides. The ammonium azide may be in pulverulent form or may be fabricated into a grain having a specific geometry. The ammonium azide may also be employed as a pyrotechnic formulation in a variety of environments.

Gun propellant containing ammonium azide and an inert casing

A magnetically actuated valve which includes a one-piece valve body, a linearly translatable poppet for selectively blocking an aperture in the valve body, a magnetically operable rotor, a magnetic collar or electromagnetic coil external to the valve body for inducing rotation of the rotor, and a screw and nut arrangement for converting rotational motion of the rotor into linear motion of the poppet.

Magnetically actuated valve

A gas generator producing usable power from a solid reactant which is sublimed as required to produce vapors and the vapors are chemically reacted to release stored energy and convert same to useful work.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Laurence O Williams